What type of purse for DL?????

[perrinej]

What do women carry in DL as a purse? I am going with one adult daughter and don't want to carry a purse - need something like a back pack, but feel uncomfortable with wallet strapped to my back. No grandkids, just the two of us for a week of fun - suggestions???

 

[sonnyjane]

I use a draw-string back-pack. I have a Nike one that was $10.00 at the local sporting goods store. It's much smaller than a full-size back-pack, just enough to carry a wallet, bottle of water, sweatshirt, and phone.

 

[villain luvr]

I either wear a backpack or my Coach or Besey Johnson Swing Pack.

 

[Belle Ella]

I'm not really a fan of wearing backpacks to begin with so I avoid them when I'm at Disneyland. I prefer something that I can wear off one shoulder or across my body. I bring a lot of camera stuff so I'm usually using my camera bag although on my last trip I get into the habit of just bringing my purse but storing it in my locker all day and not carrying anything with me but a little bit of money and my camera. Everything was in the locker with my purse if I needed to go back for it.

I've seen a lot of DIS'ers go with a Baggallini a little bit like this one for their trips:

http://www.baggallini.com/product2.asp?product='MES160'&Fabric='Ripstop'

 

[saving4myfamily]

I have read so many good things on here about the baggallini, so I just bought one for our next trip, and plan on just bringing that next time.

 

[minjo]

I usually use a fanny pack but this year I have my camera ( not the small digital one) so I am trying to figure out what to take.

 

[Malela9]

I use a messenger bag when I go, I have a small Mickey Dooney and Bourke .

It is just the right size, I can put my phone, sunglasses and camera in it. I put my money , id and annual passes in the zipped section in the front. I have used it multiple times at WDW and DL. It works great!

 

[aristocat65]

I LOVE my purses, but when I'm in the parks I go without. I don't like the idea of having to secure one on rides, etc. I travel light and have a tiny camera bag that holds my camera, a little cash, room key, parkhopper, and ID and CC. It has a long strap that goes across my body and if I'm wearing a hoodie I can even wear it underneath. It makes going through security much faster as they usually only glance at it.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I bought a baggallini for a trip a few years ago, and only used it once because I didn't like it. When I would reach in to take something out, it would often flop open and a few times my credit card and ID actually fell out. I tried to figure out a way to arrange it so that wouldn't happen, but it was sort of limited in it's design.

But the worst part was it had a magnetic closure, and it demagnetized our hotel keys not once, but twice! I can't tell you how annoying it is to get back to your room, and then not be able to get into it. You are so tired by that point! Then we have to walk all the way to the lobby (not in the same building as our room) and wait for new keys to be made.

I tend to just wear a fanny pack type thing now. Some of them are not bad looking at all. Or they are dorky and I chose not to care!

 

[taaren]

When we're staying at the Grand, or anywhere close enough to ditch everything we just take our tickets/passes and room key and water bottles on a string and leave my purse in the room safe.
When we're staying farther away we usually pack a backpack with snacks/jackets/water/camera, keep 1 credit card, ID, ticket, room key in my pocket and again throw the purse in the room safe. Just makes me feel more secure. Never heard of anybody's backpack getting broken into at DLR, but I don't want to be the first to lose something valuable, so I figure if something gets taken out of the backpack (or falls out) it won't be important.

 

[DahliaRW]

I use the bagallini and LOVE it. There is a small compartment on the front that zips (on the shoulder strap so it ends up mid chest) and that's where I keep my ticket, fps, credit cards, and cash. So they're not on my back. I used the back part for diapers and wipes for my dd, my small digital camera, and snacks. My bagallini does not have any magnets, so I don't know if that one was an older or newer design. Just zippers on mine!

 

[JH87]

I just carry a small wristlet. it's only big enough to hold my camera, phone and credit cards/cash/FP/ticket. It's really all I need and I hate carrying around huge bags that hurt my shoulder. I just put it on my wrist and barely even notice I'm holding anything. If I plan on needing to take more stuff with me I rent a locker, or if the hotel I am staying at is close by I will just walk there, for a sweatshirt, or something like that.

 

[tzeitel]

For our last WDW trip I took a flat Nine West crossbody bag (I think it is called an envelope style) - in the main compartment I put my wallet, camera, hairbrush sunglasses and a small notebook with all our ressies etc. It also has a flat zippered pocket on the front, there I had our tickets. And it has a phone pocket on the very front. Very light and never an issue on any ride.

I am trying to find a photo of it - but my point is that even though a bag looks small does not mean it does not hold everything you need

edit - I did not find a photo of mine but here is one that resembles it, mine just has the extra phone pocket in the front and was $20 cheaper

http://www.ebags.com/product/my-oilcloth/my-skinny-envelope/209657?productid=10124033

 

[pokee99]

This is such a good question, because you want to wear something that won't fall off/fly around during a ride, but you also want something to fit all your stuff (bottles of water, sunglasses, hats, light jackets, snacks for kids, camera, money, tickets, etc).

My last trip to DL was in the 90s, so the fanny pack I used wasn't so uncool. They say the fanny packs are coming back, but honestly, they're just so dorky. They are certainly functional and handy, but I'm going to have a hard time dusting mine off and bringing it.

I find backpacks work well for me. They keep my hands free and sit close to the body - they don't dangle around like messenger bags do. I can't stand the single strap bags that cross diagonally across your chest. Very uncomfortable for me - but to each their own.

The only thing I like to have handy out front is my camera - and I usually find I can slip it into my jacket pocket. Same thing with tickets and money. The rest of the 'stuff' can go into the backpack for breaks.

We're going in the spring, so I can probably get away with using a jacket pocket for the camera/money/tickets again. If I were going in the summer, I could justify having to bring the dorky fanny pack.

Here's a tip for those of you that don't feel like backpacks are secure (since you are carrying it on your back and cannot protect your wallet): I have a backpack that has 'ties' on the zipper. I usually tie them in a knot to make it impossible for a pickpocket to pick. They're easy to untie for breaks - but not ideal for easy/quick access. I think messenger bags are the easiest for pickpockets. Oftentimes, I see people wearing them facing towards their backs (or they end up like that while walking). Since they're down low below eye level (much lower than the top zipper of a backpack), a pickpocket just has to slide the zipper open/slightly open the top flap and pop their hand in as they walk by.

I am not sure how many pickpockets there are at DL, but I suspect any crowded place attracts thieves. I wouldn't go as far as to wear a money belt - I think what most people have said here (putting money and valuables in the hotel safe and bringing only bare essentials) is a good idea.

I am still open to ideas for something fashionable and functional to replace my backpack, however. I'd love to see more photos of unique bags!!!

 

[perrinej]

I have a messenger that I got last year after reading comments on disboards for our trip to WDW. I am very short and even with the ajustable strap, it was a little too long and rode at my left hip so every step I took - it moved. It also rubbed on my shirts causing the fabric to ball-up. I am looking for something smaller but yet comfortable.

 

[wannagoback]

I have an older version of the Donner bag by Overland Equipment. I bought it based on recommendations I read on this board several years ago. I've used it for 3 disney trips and I think it's perfect!

I especially love that there is room for two water bottles (one on each end), or you could put sunscreen in one of the pockets too. I felt like it held a lot, but still had great organization for the things I needed to be able to find quickly. The flap in front lifts up to reveal small compartments and pouches which were perfect for easy access to park tickets and my cell phone.

Here's a link to the newer version: http://www.zappos.com/overland-equipment-donner-coffee-bean-golden-yellow

Each color shows different pictures, so you can see different details by viewing each of the color choices

 

[disneyfanUSA]

In WDW I use my Dooney and Bourke sketch tote or my camera bag. I love my camera bag it is cute and has room for everything I need. I bought it on Etsy the seller custom makes her bags, so you can pick out the fabric and colors you want. Its big enough for my DSLR camera, an extra lens and there is still extra room for other items. It is padded and water proof so I know all my stuff is safe. Draw string backpacks also work but there not padded and stuff could break or get smashed.

This is what my camera bag looks like:

 

[Keaganeq]

We've been to WDW the last 2 years and I've used a Vera Bradley Hipster (not the mini) and loved it! It's light as a feather to begin with, so it's only as heavy as what you put in it. Since it's all fabric, I normally scotchguard mine to make it easier to keep clean. It's also tall enough to hold a bottle of water if you want to (I carry a flat can coozie to keep the bottle from sweating). The strap can be worn short like a shoulder purse or longer to go cross-body. I normally wear it cross-body so that when I sit down to eat or ride a ride, it just lays flat in my lap. I don't have to hang it on the back of your chair when eating or taking it off when on a ride. We did notice some people last year who seemed to be scoping out a dining area, watching for people who weren't paying attention to their bags...we alerted the attendants just in case.

We're going to DL for the first time this August and we're really excited!

 

[chrissiecutie]

I bought a baggallini for a trip a few years ago, and only used it once because I didn't like it. When I would reach in to take something out, it would often flop open and a few times my credit card and ID actually fell out. I tried to figure out a way to arrange it so that wouldn't happen, but it was sort of limited in it's design.

But the worst part was it had a magnetic closure, and it demagnetized our hotel keys not once, but twice! I can't tell you how annoying it is to get back to your room, and then not be able to get into it. You are so tired by that point! Then we have to walk all the way to the lobby (not in the same building as our room) and wait for new keys to be made.

I tend to just wear a fanny pack type thing now. Some of them are not bad looking at all. Or they are dorky and I chose not to care!

Lisa...I just have to ask...what type of Baggallini did you have?? I have the messenger one, exactly like the photo previously in this thread and I just LOVE mine! I've never had any of the issues you describe and I can't help but think if you tried the messenger style you might like it a bit more??

I will say that I never put my wallet items ie. cash, credit cards, id in the front pockets. While that big front pocket is just amazing with all it's nifty little holders for cards, cash even park tickets, I am super afraid that all that important stuff will just fall out. However, I'm not really sure HOW that would happen since that pocket has a zipper too... So instead I just take a smaller wallet then my "everyday" one at home and keep this in the large zippered part of the bag.

I 100% recommend the Baggallini messenger style bag. It's light, swings to my front for easy access, holds a ton of stuff and comes in lots of cute colors! I got mine off ebay for half what they sell for!

 

[lapdwife]

I use my cheapy D&B Disneyland Messenger Bag. It's just big enough for my camera, sunglass case and wallet.